The name Orient Express conjures images of luxurious (and lengthy) rail journeys. Now the name might evoke luxury cruising as well, after hospitality group Accor revealed plans for Orient Express Silenseas – the world’s largest sailing ship.
Due to set sail in 2026, the Orient Express Silenseas will represent the first foray into cruising for the Orient Express brand.
The super yacht is the result of a French collaboration between Accor and shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
Inspired by the “Golden Age” of the French Riviera, when artists, writers and Princesses would sail the waters of the Cote d’Azur, the 220-metre-long vessel will feature 54 suites with an average size of 70-square-metres, including a 1,415-square-metre Presidential Suite (with a 530-square-metre private terrace), two swimming pools (including a lap pool), two restaurants and a speakeasy bar.
The ship will also boast spa treatments and meditation sessions, shows in its Amphitheatre-Cabaret, and even a private recording studio. Stopovers will focus on “cultural treasures that allow guests to completely unplug from reality and stop time”, according to Accor.
Orient Express Silenseas will sail with three rigid sails with a surface area of 1,500 metres each on masts more than 100 metres high.
Known as “SolidSail”, this unique propulsion system will operate together with an LNG-fuelled engine before it switches to green hydrogen once that technology is approved for ocean passenger ships.
“With Orient Express Silenseas, we are beginning a new chapter in our history, taking the experience and excellence of luxury travel and transposing it onto the world’s most beautiful seas,” Accor chairman and CEO Sebastien Bazin said.
“This exceptional sailing yacht, with roots in Orient Express’ history, will offer unparalleled service and refined design spaces, reminiscent of the golden age of mythical cruises.”
Chantiers de l’Atlantique managing director Laurent Castaing said the project was the “quintessence of our savoir-faire in the fields of naval architecture, the construction of sophisticated hulls, as well as the design of luxurious spaces”.
